National Republican., 1887-08-01
BY AN ORDER FROM ROME.
Father Crimmins's Contest for HI
Parish.
TNey York Times

lNtW lOIk
Upon the publication OF a statement to
the effect that Bishop John Loughlin had
decided to visit Rome some time next fall,
the rumor was circulated that he had been
ordered TO Rome to answer very serious
charge. In short, the bishop was charged
with burning an order from Rome instruct
ing him to renstate a certain priest-Father
j. j. Crlmmins, brother Of ex.Park Com
missioner Crimmlus-who had been sus
pended several years before, and whose
case had been tried before various tribu-
nails, ard finally carried to Rome, where IL
was settled in favor OF the deposed priest.
The trouble between Bishop Loughlln
and Father Crimmins arose several years
ago, when the latter was pastor Of the
Church OF st. Mary OF the immaculate
Conception, in Brooklyn, eastern district.
Father Crimmins has made himself very
popular In his parish, aud his Views on va
rious religious and secular topics were
often productive OF discussion by his su-
perlors. His parish, although large, was
not wealthy one, and when Bishop
Loughln ordered him to build parochial
residence, Father Crimmins refused to do
so ON the ground that the parish could not
afford such structure, and that the neces,
stiles of the church did not demand pas
toral residence. The bishop insisted and
Father Crimmips showed, in various stormy
interviews, that he was as stubborn as he
was mentally brilliant.
While this condition Of affairs prevailed
| Father Crimmihs left the city for few days,
and upon his return he found his place oc
| cupied by Father Murray, who had been
| appointed "to fill a vacancy" by the bishop.
| Fathtr Murray was hard at work upon a
| parochlal residence, and referred the indig-
| nant Father Crimmins to the bishop. Tho
| latter acknowledged his responsibility for
| Father MurraY's appointment, and the war
between him and the practically deposed
| priest began. The latter was formally sus
| pended from performing his prlestly fuuc-
tions, and, having some money, he an
nounced his intention OF fighting the bishop.
| He appealed to the council of priests OF
Brooklyn and was beaten. Then he went
before Cardinal McCloskey and his council,
ard a tic vote was the result. After secur
ing DR.. Burtsell, pastor Of the Church of the
Epiphany, as counsel, Father Crimmins car
ried his case TO Rome. The decision there
was in his favor, and Bishop Loughlin was
instructed to reiustate Lin and to pay him
| all his arrears Of salary.
1t is at this point In the story that the
charge against Bishop Loughlin comes in.
According to Father Crimmins and his ad-
vocates, OF whom there are many, the
bishop held this order for a time and tried
to compromise the case. He offered to re-
instate the priest in any parish but his old
one, and without his back salary. This
offer was Indignantly refused, whereupon
Bishop Loughlin tore the order into pieces
and east them into the FIRE.
| OF course Father Crlmmins aud his couu
sci soon learned of the disposition of this
order, and they appealed again to Rome,
returning this time with q much more i'm
portant thing than an order for reinstate-
| mcDt OF q priest. 1t was nothing more or
| less than pereInptory summons to Bishop
Loughlin to appear In Rome and explain
his action in destrying holy order. This
summons came over year ago, but 1t was
expressly stipulated that there should be
no hurry in answering it. The bishop was
to take plenty OF time to wind up the affairs
OF bis parish. With this end in view he has
bCen working hard for several months, and
now announces his intention OF obeying the
summons some time during the fall
Such is the story told by the Crlmmins
advocates yesterday, aud they try to prove
its truth by showing that there is no other
motive that would take Bishop Loughlin to
Rome at this time. The ten years at the
end of which lie must go to the vatican to
report upon the condition OF his diocese
have not yet expired, aud the bishop, at II,
is TO old to take such q trip unnecessarily
Although Father Crlmmins believes that
the bishop is preparing to answer the sum
mons Of year ago, he does not think any
i
only penalty will probably be the appoint
ment of an assistant, and this to Bishop
Loughlin, who has ruled things with al
iron rod, will be very humiliating.
The only reason given by the friends OF
the bishop I or his sudden determination to
visit the Eternal City is his great age and
the possibility that II he does not 90 soou
he will never see Rome again. The pope's
jubilee, In which he longs to take part, Il
also given as cause of his taking the trip
A Times reporter called ut the residence
of the bishop in Jay street, Brooklyn, last
night and was enabled to see him. Thl:
conversation took place:
"Ihe Times would like to print state
ment from you, bishop, In regard to the al
legged reason for your anticipated trip tt
Rome.n
"It's very warm evening"" responded
the bishop. STOOD evening.n
"Don't you think the stories as published
warrant denial or an allirmationS" asked
the reported.
"Newspapers are full OF lies, young
man." was the only answer that could bt
obtained, and upon delivering It the bishop
| left tho room,